I am in the "bad" part of Columbia by the mall. What I can tell you from having lived here for 10 years the majority of crime I have seen is occasional vandalism and a stolen car. Most of Columbia is very safe as far as crime goes. The worst parts of Columbia are better than most other cities.

Hate to say it but that’s how we got our house 20 years ago in a hot market- bought it before it hit MLS at asking price.

And they’ll still sell for a high price or refi into a longer 30 with less financed. I don’t see what would cause RH to become inexpensive other than a severe recession heavily impacting the DMV job market which recessions hardly do.

Contact Northrop Group at Long and Foster. We just found an off market place in River Hill after looking for 18 months only because of them.

With that being said, prices are still high and sellers have good control of negotiation but low supply will do that. I am not sure what drops demand in RH as people want the schools and community it seems.

I agree with your intentions but not the mechanism. New apartments are generally going to be expensive because they’re new and automatically more desirable than similar-sized existing housing stock. Income subsidized units in buildings like the Marlow and Juniper are actually pretty laughable solutions to affordable housing. They’re always outrageously expensive for people who actually meet the income limits, and there is always some tiny number of affordable units allocated to check a box. A much better solution for affordable housing is simply to let builders build more and denser housing. And Marlow and Juniper are examples of builders doing exactly that. Even if they stay top end for a while, their construction will increase supply and lower the prices of the rest of the apartment housing stock. Meanwhile many neighborhoods in Columbia fight hard against this kind of dense construction even though it was Rouse’s vision to mix more dense and less dense housing together. Generally it’s all these building restrictions that have pushed up prices to ridiculous levels—for the most extreme examples, see Silicon Valley.

Inventory will pick up in the spring and summer but may still be quite low. There should be more homes on the market coming up soon. This month, there’s hardly anything in the entire town or county. As a local realtor, it’s been tough!

Sure can! We try to help facilitate that as much as we can, too. We usually have a handful of people that show up solo and group up successfully.

For sure. A lot of original owners who bought in the late 1990s are now empty nesters and approaching retirement so I wouldn't be surprised if they started selling soon. Many new families have moved in over the last 3 years.

Wait like 2 more months for the market to pick up. People want to sell their houses such that they move during the summer, so their kid can start the next school year at the new house/school. That's why houses go up for sale in the spring.

Can randos just drop in and hope to find folks to join?

People end up needing to move for all different reasons so surely there will be at least a few that go up for sale

I'm guessing the odds that one household took out an ARM during the low interest years will be over their heads in 1-4 years.

Gamers Corps in Old Ellicott City is where I go. Unless there's something going on that night, they usually have tables open, the staff are friendly and helpful, and they're open reasonably late on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus, you're surrounded by lots of great food choices for lunch or dinner beforehand.

Only downside is be prepared to haul your games with you, as the nearest parking lots are a good 800-900 feet away, either up or downhill (and you'll be hiking uphill either way, either to start or when you finish).

Almost 100% that one or more will go on the market this spring.

Yeah! Thanks for the shout out! Like u/tribecalledchef said, Black Flag is friendly to games! Mike and Charlotte will be out there tomorrow night for Alenvetures' regular 3rd Wednesday of the month game night with them. It's not a closed event, so bring your own games if you've got something to play, we love to see what folks bring! Black Flag occasionally has food trucks and is also friendly to delivery orders!

Also like u/Wx_Justin said, Lost Ark is game friendly (we just did a game night with them last week!) and they've got mocktails if you're not looking for something boozy. Hysteria next door is also great!

We hope to see you around, but if we don't, hopefully you find a good place for some games!

Exactly right. Don’t want to mess with it.

I believe that's the cut-off for lead-based paint usage. It also keeps you from houses with aluminum wiring.

Lead paint

Just curious, why the 1979 or newer requirement?

Also we do have a realtor and have good credit.

No food? Just blend it into a drink! Problem solved

My DnD group used to play at Gamers Corp in downtown Ellicott City, they have a bunch of large tables that you can reserve (basically just call and ask to reserve a table) and it's free. Plenty of good food nearby but I don't think they allow you to bring food inside

All of the local branches of HC Library have meeting room with plenty of tables/chairs you can reserve for free online. Only downside - no beer.

Gritty Goblin in Hickory Ridge. Has a huge back room and their schedule is online so you can plan around their events

Ok glad I'm not the only one!